Gatlin wins men’s 100 meters at track and field championships

SACRAMENTO — Justin Gatlin showed the youngsters that age is just a number. As in, get down the track quick and post a good one.

A changing of the guard? Not on his watch.

Gatlin, 35, surged past up-and-comer Christian Coleman to win the 100 meters on Friday night at the U.S. track and field championships. To celebrate, Gatlin sidestepped back down the track.

At 21 and coming off an NCAA title, Coleman was the sprinter all set to usher in a new era. It will have to wait.

Gatlin finished in 9.95 seconds to edge Coleman by 0.03 seconds. Both are products of the University of Tennessee and both are now Nike-sponsored runners, with Coleman just signing a three-year deal. Christopher Belcher finished third.

“These guys are just starting their career off,” said Gatlin, who’s been dealing with nagging quadriceps/groin injuries. “I have to make sure I stay hungry.’”

Awaiting the trio in August at the world championships in London will be Jamaica’s Usain Bolt.

“The sweet thing about it is there are two hungry guys who have no nervousness about (Bolt), and are hungry to make a name for themselves,” Gatlin said.

Gatlin proved he still has plenty left, too.

“He never lost it. He’s a good competitor,” Coleman said. “It was a good race. Looking forward to many more.”

In the women’s final, Olympic silver medalist Tori Bowie got off to a blazing start and never looked back. She finished in 10.94 seconds to beat Deajah Stevens. Ariana Washington was third, while Allyson Felix finished last.

Record-breaker: Paralympian Patrick “Blake” Leeper, running on carbon-fiber prosthetics, ran 45.25 seconds in the semifinals of the 400 meters to break the T43 world record held by Oscar Pistorius of South Africa. Leeper wound up seventh and didn’t qualify for the final.

Junior champion:Candace Hill dominated the 100 in 11.37 seconds to win the junior national championship and earn a trip to Pan American junior championships in Peru.